Oiocha

No work from Horitomo has been tebori. I'm only there for one weekend every three months so we're going the fastest way possible. I waited on his waiting list for 2 years before I got to come in to see him. I understand his list is much much longer now.

Rotaries are a thing now, and needle/tube combos that aren't much bigger than the end of your pinky and snap right on the end of some of the new wand style rotaries. Inks are definitely improved Eric Perfect talked about there being recipes with listerine in the ink mixture when someone first told them one of their recipes.

I got 1 tattoo at Imperial the first year, then I saved up and got 2 the following year, maybe you end up getting a large scale piece started?? 1 guy at imperial is chipping away at a chest piece with Tony Huhndal every year. Another guy started a back piece with Kiku

My ass hurts, my tailbone hurts, every pair of pants is now "too itchy". I should not have done this to myself.

And thus the photos have been posted, it has now officially happened. My butt has been tattooed. I didn't like it and I don't like the healing either. I also was super bummed that I didn't get to go to the San Francisco Asian Art Museum

I did both my shoulders at Imperial this year, I didn't travel but I did saniderm them and work out the following week, do it. Also unless you are super weak and super dirty stuff doesn't get infected that easily, do it. I get my back tattooed over 2 days and get on a plane for an entire day, do it. If the subliminal messaging hasnt worked yet, you should do it. Shave your whole damn leg, get tattooed three times, throw saniderm over that stuff and maybe get a 4th walk-up.

Thats going to be sooooo good!

I survived. I’m glad I only have to get one back tattoo. Every spot below the waistline was pretty rough. I have about 1 more visit to finish the background shading: inner thighs and inner booty area. Pics will follow.

I can't sadly, I'm moving the month after that and have to save for all the uncertainties.

Its not that weird, if you take the slot and don't show up they are getting paid, how much they think that time is worth is up to them. Dasha might have gotten burned hard before or it might just be what he believes gets people into the chair every time.

me either evidently

Its all about whether its worth it for you or not. I think if you're questioning it this much you might want to take a good hard look at whether you can get it later and convenient or not this may not be the time.

I'm skeptical of shops with Tap Out specials. If you've done your research then I'll be waiting to see what you come back with!

Cause you’re as right as can be, to me

When you have a conversation again instead of getting a quote from them give them your idea and a budget. “I have a budget of X-Y and want Z tattoo on X part of my body” and start from there unless you are open to the sliding scale of price. They will navigate the conversation realistically knowing what you want and what they can deliver without anyone losing out.

Just getting my two cent in here. for one appointment I had it work like this: I told them what I wanted and where, they told me the hourly rate and asked for my budget and a deposit, when I went in for the appointment the artist drew it on with the budget in mind. For my other appointment I book that many hours of their time and pay for the hours when I walk in, we work until the artist determines the time is up.

The way you talk about it is important, calling it your budget. " Hi I'm hoping I could get something like this for X-XX amount"

Greg Christian and Kiku at the Jacksonville convention. Maaaaybe more to come if I see some more names.

Can’t wait to see some updates on that @Gingerninja

Anyone else going? I’ll be there Friday and Saturday at least.

I always say "I'm not tough, I'm stubborn." I'm a total weenie I just already paid to sit down.

Hi guys, some of you saw on instagram but I'm back from my visit with tomo and uploaded the progress pictures for my back. It was a doozy as always but I had a great time.

The ride is wild as hell the whole way but I know I will only ever get to have one back piece, I'm so happy that I could wait and make it count. There isn't a single other person in my mind I could think of that I would want to do my back, at all, other than Tomo. I have the rest of the skin real estate for anyone else but the back is special. I'm saving my pennies and dimes for April/May; I'm hoping the heavy hitters show up to Jacksonville for the Imperial Tattoo Convention again and maybe if I'm lucky I can go to the Bay Area Con just once at least.

Going to see Tomo next weekend and I'm ready to go. I also haven't forgotten about posting my Daruma: its perpetually got something that wont let me take a clean picture.

I will take note of that place as well @SStu